Building Blogs of an EAS Clothing Security Tags

Almost everyone has seen an EAS tag, but not everyone understands what they do or how they work. Clothing security tags, and Checkpoint tags specifically, consist of two pieces of hard plastic. One side has a steel pin attached. The other side has a tiny hole to receive the pin as it pierces through the material of a garment.

The checkpoint tags are virtually indestructible once clamped together. They require the use of a detacher to remove them. I have observed shoplifters attempting to pry them off, cut them off, and even burn the plastic off. Few succeed and if they do manage to succeed, success is bittersweet. Either the clothing is destroyed or the ink inside is busted in the process rendering the item useless.

The clothing security tags referred to as ink tags are hard EAS tags that contain two ampoules of dye in one of the sides. There is generally a blue dye and a glow in the dark dye that will stain whatever the inks contact.

EAS refers to electronic article surveillance. In basic terms, security tags on clothes contain an RF transmitter. When this transmitter intersects the path of the clothing alarm – those big towers flanking the doors of a retailer – an extremely audible alarm sounds.

Security tags on clothes – also referred to as EAS tags – are used in the majority of large chain stores. It is equally advantageous for small boutiques and small box stores to utilize the EAS tags for clothing security.